4UKREP - Festival of Dance Perspectives

UKREP, Festival of Dance Perspectives was conceived as a biannual festival by Plesni Teater Ljubljana/Dance Theatre Ljubljana, shortly known as PTL in 2008. Its basic goal is to respond to the respective needs of our cultural space and contemporary dance practice, to place them in a creative dialogue, to induce reactivity to the artistic and social problems of the current moment, to work towards development, to encourage contemporary dance in a given moment to redefine and rearticulate its contemporary and emancipatory mode, and to take action.

The focus of this year’s festival, In accordance with the strategic guidelines on supporting the development and continuity of the work of young authors, the festival is largely about supporting young authors so that they can develop their artistic potential. Young authors who participate in the festival have the opportunity to present their works to a professional and wider audience and obtain valuable feedback. The emphasis is on encouraging the exploration of new artistic expressions and aesthetics and providing a space for dialogue between creators and the audience. The Festival of Dance Perspectives Ukrep, with this edition entitled 4UKREP, includes a larger number of performers from the domestic and international space, who will be able to connect with each other and exchange experiences and knowledge. International participation contributes to broadening the horizons of local artists and encourages networking and long-term cooperation, allowing local practices to confront global trends, which leads to enrichment and innovation in the field of art. The Festival 4UKREP will present several local and international artists, whose works will reflect the diversity of contemporary dance creation and which are in line with the program vision of Plesni Teater Ljubljana/ Dance Theatre Ljubljana for 2025 – Scars_of_generations. Local young author Petra Peček will present her new work Še en solo / One more solo. The project is being created in international co-production with PTL's long-time partner Netzwerk Aks (Andrea K. Schlehwein), Austria. Jerca Rožnik Novak will premiere her work Echospiel in Slovenia in collaboration with musician Sofia Garzotto. It is an interdisciplinary performance that combines dance and live music and explores issues of human communication, echoes and interactions. The festival will also host other exceptional international artists and groups. We will host the performance Muje by the duo ZINADA Germany. From Great Britain we will host our long-time partner Anthony Missen and Company Chameleon with 3 location-specific performances Push, Umbra and Hands Down. Their presence brings diverse dance aesthetics and new forms to Slovenia, which take place in outdoor locations and thus attract a larger number of passing audiences. In addition to the performances, the festival will also include workshops led by Andrea K. Schlehwein and Anthony Missen for dancers who want to deepen their technical and artistic knowledge, and for artists who are looking for new ways of creative expression. In addition, a series of lectures will shed light on current topics in the fields of art, culture and contemporary dance and stimulate dialogue on the role of art in today's society. Part of the festival's accompanying program will be the premiere presentations of miniature dance films created within the framework of the project of the supporting programs Ples(ni) film / Dance Film. Hana Obreza, Anja Möderndorfer, Jelena Radojćić, Tomaž Tomažin, Nina Zaletelj Iličič and Julija Cergolj will present their works. These films offer a fresh insight into the development and future of dance film as a new medium. The Festival of Dance Perspectives 4UKREP remains a key space for the support and development of contemporary dance in Slovenia. With its commitment to young authors, international cooperation and the promotion of creative processes, it represents an important bridge between the local and global dance scene. By connecting diverse voices and perspectives, the festival contributes to the sustainable development of contemporary dance art and strengthening its role in the wider cultural space. Lectures/round tables will attract a wider audience interested in art to the festival.